Letter: [Athens, Georgia] to Callie King, [1855]

author: Cobb, Marion, 1822-1897
date: [1855]
extent: 8p
summary: Undated letter from Marion Lumpkin Cobb, wife of Thomas Read Rootes Cobb and daughter of Joseph Henry Lumpkin, to Callie King, wife of Porter King and Marion's sister about illness in the Cobb and Lumpkin families. Her husband's father, Colonel John Addison Cobb, is dying, and they go to be with him during his last moments. Colonel Cobb died in 1855. She also relates the state of domestic affairs, of "hog killing" and hog selling, and the local slave trade and other sales. She speaks of the growing commerce in town, and details all the news of friends and family.

subjects:

Letters

Cobb, John Addison, 1783-1855--Death and burial

Lumpkin family

Cobb family

Athens (Ga.)--Social life and customs--19th century

Domestic life

Athens (Ga.)--Commerce

Slave trade--Georgia--Athens

King, Callie, 1826-1905

Athens (Ga.)

Clarke County (Ga.)

repository: Alexander Campbell King Law Library, University of Georgia School of Law, on deposit at the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries
publishing permission: To obtain publishing permission, contact the Alexander Campbell King Law Library, University of Georgia School of Law collection: Joseph Henry Lumpkin family papers, 1821-1862 (bulk 1852-1857)
box: 1
folder: 25
document: jhl0025

Yes I am almost ashamed to write to you after waiting so long a time - but I know you will forgive me when I assure you that anything but neglect has caused my silence. At Milledgeville in company " I could not write & from there we were summoned home to attend the dying moments of old Col. [Colonel] Cobb which kept me for sometime from home & my mind in such a confused state I could do nothing with proper care. Little Lizzy too has required our constant attentions & my own children have been

very unwell with colds for a week or two. Lucy is now just recovering from one of her attacks a more prolonged one than usual. Added to this we are just finishing "hog killing" & you will believe me even 'tho [though] I have made a long apology when I tell you I have been much engaged. Callie never believe I forget you. You never will know how much I love you & how often I long to be with you. I sometimes think my attachment for you - a younger sister is a most peculiar one considering how much we have been separated. My husband and children have this same feeling for you & oh how much I wish our lots could have

been cast together in life! God knows however what is best & of one thing we can feel assured. If we diligently seek that home above 'ere [before] long we shall spend I trust an eternity together - which will know no change but a constant growth in love & happiness. When poor old Col. [Colonel] Cobb died - I almost felt it would be sweet even when but half my race was run to go to my little ones & I could envy him wicked as it was the joy of meeting them. It was a singular fact my first boy's corpse was the first he ever witnessed & just before he died when calling mine & Mr Cobb's name in connection I almost imagined he then beheld

his blest [blessed] spirit a ministering angel to convey [added text: him] home. Do you wonder that I envied him. But dear Callie I did not intend to write you such a letter. It is pleasant however thus to commune with you & I feel that you will appreciate it. Mr Cobb has felt his fathers [father's] death a great deal more than you would have imagined under the circumstances & [added text: it] [deleted text: his][added text: has ] [deleted text: death] has seemed to ripen him more & more in his christian faith. The old lady went home with Mary a day or two since to be gone sometime. Mary has fattened very much but looks well. She talked a great deal about you. She has a fine boy just two months old. Mattie will probably

live here or at West Point hereafter & not return to Florida. The town is quite devoid of news just now. Indeed Pa writes so often I am always afraid of repeating something. Miss [unclear text: B] ingham's wedding next week the various items from the legislature especially with regard to the [unclear text: new] county & the college & the sales of hogs & cotton are the all engrossing themes. Our front street very often reminds you of the jam of omnibuses &c [et cetera] on Broadway. One day this week we could not drive through. Joe has been to Lexington trying to buy negroes but they sold very high - as they are doing all around here. He - Will & Mr Gerdine have had

much sport around here at the various sales of property & Will has made several good bargains. He bought out with [unclear text: Dr [Doctor] Long] a drove of hogs today at 7 & is selling them now at [unclear text: 8] - [unclear text: But] dont [don't] write about it as he may not wish it known. Mrs Baxter went to Sparta a few weeks [added text: ago] to see little Sallie Bird who was very ill with bilious fever. She has not yet returned & I fear the child is no better. Miss Lewis told me in Milledgeville Sal "took Mrs Birds [Bird's] death very hard" & she thought she would miss her very much for a long time. Addie Jackson was quite gay in Milledgeville dressing splendidly. You know she has not been

able to for several years & she now enjoys it very much. Kitty White is another who seems quite fond of gaiety this winter. I think Henrietta Kenan was the finest looking girl we saw but the state of the family prevents her attracting much notice - from clever sources. You would not know Mrs Orme she has become so fat & jolly & poor old [unclear text: Orme] looks more awkward & silly than ever - but you can't imagine what deference she pays him. It is really strange. We saw Mrs Stephens (Mrs. Bell) in [unclear text: M [Milledgeville] ] _ & she is one of the most lovely women I think I ever saw. All there asked much about you. Did you hear that Tom [unclear text: Camaks] [Camak's] wife had a

miscarriage & also hemorrhage of the lungs. Did Pa write you of Toby Coxes marriage to a very nice girl at Holly Springs & how awfully he was treating her. It is a report here that Tom Golding & Rosa Crawford are to marry. Lizzie Craig is going this week to Milledgeville as she told me to try & "help the college & herself" - next time I write which I declare shall be soon I will try & find out what Pa has not written you - as with these little on-dits I might fill sheets but I am afraid they are stale to you. Pa & Ma are neither well. He has rheumatism & she is suffering again from her stomach. She has had her teeth all pulled & I hope when she gets a new set she will be able to eat more. All the rest well but Muggie who has a slight cold & otherwise [unclear text: grunting]. Lizzy Gerdine still [illegible text] . Do excuse this awful letter which I am afraid you wont [added text: won't ] think it much to receive. And now with love to Mr King what shall I say to the boy. The children send more messages than I can write

How I wish we could see him & kiss his dear little face. I sometimes want to see him so much the thought of will make the tears run down my face before I am aware of it. Dont [Don't] treat me as I have you. You don't know what a true source of pleasure your letters are to sister